World number six Mensur Suljovic has been invited to compete in the 2017 German Darts Masters, ahead of this month’s World Series extravaganza in Dusseldorf.

The 45-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise over recent years, which has seen him overcome dartitis and climb into the world’s top ten. The Austrian also claimed his maiden televised title at last month’s Champions League of Darts in Cardiff- broadcast live on the BBC.

Suljovic defeated Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall to finish top of his group, before seeing off five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld 11-9 in an epic semi-final. ‘The Gentle’ then overcame Anderson for the second time in as many days to clinch the biggest victory of his career to date.

He fired in a nine-dart finish in a Pro Tour event last Friday, before securing his first ever Players Championship title in Dublin just 24 hours later. He has also been touted as one of the favourites for this week’s World Grand Prix, particularly with Michael van Gerwen, Anderson, Phil Taylor & Adrian Lewis all out of the picture.

Yet Mensur is now set to take on the world’s elite once more when the World Series of Darts visits Germany on October 20-21. Max Hopp and Martin Schindler, the top two ranked German players, were originally set to be joined by six qualifiers from the German Super-League.

Nevertheless, Schindler, who alongside Hopp took Germany to the World Cup quarter-finals earlier this month, is already guaranteed a spot in the top six. As a result, lead broadcaster ProSieben have invited Suljovic to compete at the Castello Arena, where he will be joined by five other host-nation qualifiers.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said:“The World Series of Darts is all about spreading professional darts worldwide and giving fans a chance to see the best players in the world live in their region.

“Mensur’s performances in reaching the European Championship final last year and winning the Champions League show that he fully deserves his spot amongst the sport’s elite.

“He has been the standard-bearer in the region in recent years and helped to inspire the progression of the likes of Max Hopp and Martin Schindler, and has proven hugely popular throughout Germany.”

Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor, Peter Wright, Raymond van Barneveld, James Wade, Daryl Gurney & Kyle Anderson will be the eight PDC stars competing in Dusseldorf, and they will take on the eight host-nation representatives on the tournament’s opening night on Friday 20th October.

The 16-player event will be broadcast live on leading channel ProSieben, in a huge boost for the sport of darts within Germany. The quarter-finals will take place on Saturday afternoon, before the tournament concludes with the semi-finals and final on a blockbuster session of action on Saturday evening.